Calendered hydrocolloid dressing

ABSTRACT

A calendered hydrocolloid dressing for the wound care and a one step method of manufacturing the hydrocolloidal dressing are described. In particular, the invention is concerned with a hydrocolloid dressing which is absorbent, non-damaging to the skin and comfortable to the user preferably having at least a thermoplastic elastomer backing and water absorbent polymeric adhesive layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a calendered hydrocolloid dressing for thewound care and a method of manufacturing the hydrocolloidal dressing. Inparticular, the invention is concerned with a hydrocolloid dressingwhich is absorbent, non-damaging to the skin and comfortable to theuser. Further, the invention is concerned with economical and efficientmanufacturing of the hydrocolloid dressing.

Wound care is desirable to improve the health and appearance ofunderlying dermal tissues. Wounds, either injury induced, such as cuts,abrasions or blisters, or surgically induced, such as surgical incisionsor ostomies, for example require localized treatment to remedy theaffected area and to prevent further dermal damage. If wounds are notproperly treated, further dermal irritation can occur resulting insecondary infections and further discomfort to the patient.

Hydrocolloid dressings are widely used in the area of wound and ostomycare due their beneficial effects to the healing process. Particularly,hydrocolloid dressings are beneficial to wound healing in thathydrocolloids absorb excess fluids away from the wound site, maintain amoist environment for the wound, offer a controlled adhesion level tothe wound bed, which allows a non-invasive dressing change withoutcausing trauma to the wound, and thus facilitate the healing process.

Recently, the use of hydrocolloid dressings has spread beyond just thehospital setting and are now commonly found at the retail level forgeneral consumer use. Products designed for over the counter use areoften somewhat thinner in hydrocolloid mass and are not designed toprovide a particularly high level of fluid absorption capability.However, hydrocolloid dressings used for wound care and ostomyapplications require a high degree of absorbency along with goodstructural integrity of the hydrocolloid mass, but are often bulky anduncomfortable to the user. In either case, the hydrocolloid dressingshould not further aggravate the primary wound by causing further dermalirritation.

Therefore, there is a need for a hydrocolloid dressing which providesenhanced absorbency and/or enhanced structural integrity and/or enhancedpatient comfort. Further, there is a need for a method of manufacturingthe hydrocolloid dressing efficiently and economically to achieve atleast the described properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a calendered hydrocolloid dressing which hasimproved advantages over known dressings for wound care. There is alsoprovided a method for manufacturing calendered hydrocolloid dressings. Acalendered hydrocolloid dressing manufactured in the method describedhas improved film strength, particularly when the dressing is saturated.Further, the hydrocolloid dressing manufactured in the method describedhas improved dimensional stability. Finally, the process ofmanufacturing calendered hydrocolloid dressings is more efficient andeconomical relative to other prior art methods, at least because thereare fewer stages of mixing and fewer components of manufacture required.

According to the invention, there is provided a hydrocolloid dressingfor wound care having a surface area for adhering to the epidermis,dermis or wound area (skin) and comprises a backing film layer, havingan upper and lower surface area, and an adhesive adhered on the lowersurface area of the backing film layer. In some embodiments, the backingfilm layer is comprised of material including copolymers, and moreparticularly ethylene methyl acrylate. In some embodiments, the backingfilm layer is comprised of up to 100% ethylene methyl acrylatecopolymer, of which about 21% is comonomer. The backing film layer is asubstrate which is preferably flexible.

The adhesive is any substance which holds the patch in contact with thedermis or wound site. Preferably the adhesive is a polymeric adhesivecomposition, and more preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive.Preferably components of the adhesive are water absorbent.

In some embodiments, the adhesive contains therapeutic agents which aidin treating or healing the wound and therapeutic agents can be a singleagent or a combination of agents. Further, the adhesive is selected tohave a desired property of not interfering with the action of waterabsorbent components and/or the delivery of the therapeutic agent to thewound.

The hydrocolloid dressing can be made in a variety of shapes, and thedressing in its entirety or any component thereof can have anycombination of height, width and depth. At least one of and preferablyboth of the backing film layer and adhesive layer can be substantiallytransparent or clear so as to permit inspection of the wound withoutremoving the dressing, or a flesh-like color or shade so as toeffectively blend with the skin of user.

Preferably, the hydrocolloid dressing is manufactured using a calenderprocess to form the backing film and apply the adhesive layer to thebacking film lower surface. Further, the calender process used tomanufacture the hydrocolloid can be carried out in the absence of arelease liner. However, after the manufacture of the hydrocolloiddressing, a release liner can be applied to the adhesive layer lowersurface area to facilitate conversion of the dressing, or to protect theadhesive before application of the dressing to the user, for example.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments which makes reference to several drawingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hydrocolloid dressing being appliedto the skin.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hydrocolloiddressing having a release liner.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of one method for manufacturing thehydrocolloid patch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description of the preferred embodiments reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form the part thereof, and inwhich are shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in whichthe invention can be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments can be utilized and structural and functional changes can bemade without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The calendered hydrocolloid dressing 1 is for the treatment and/orprotection of a wound when applied to the skin 13 of the user (FIG. 1).As illustrated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the hydrocolloid dressing11 includes at least a backing film layer 15 having an adhesive layer 17adhered to the underside. When applied to the user, the hydrocolloiddressing lower surface area 19 is in contact with the user's skin 13.

Calendered Hydrocolloid Dressing

Backing Film Layer

The hydrocolloid dressing 11 includes a backing film layer 15 having anupper surface area 21 and a lower surface area 23, and constitutes athickness 25; and an adhesive layer 17 adhered to the backing film layerlower surface area 23. The adhesive layer 17 has an upper surface area27 and a lower surface area 29, and constitutes a thickness 19. In use,the adhesive lower surface area 29 is adhered to the skin 13 of theuser.

The backing film layer materials which are useful for this invention arenot particularly limited as long as they can provide a suitablesubstrate for the adhesive layer 17 and are sufficiently strong towithstand removal from the skin 13 and maintain its integrity, havingbeen secured to the skin 3 by the adhesive layer 17. Preferably, thebacking film layer is water impervious.

The backing film layer 15 is preferably flexible from the viewpoint ofcomfort. The flexibility is achievable by elasticity in any one or allaxes of the material. Further, the backing film layer 15 is preferablypliable to accommodate skin contours, when applied to areas of skinhaving alterations in surface angles. The backing is preferablynon-stretchable, namely non-elastic, in the planar axis of the material.

The backing film layer of the hydrocolloid dressing 11 preferablyincludes a thermoplastic elastomer, and more specifically an ethylenebased copolymer. Examples of ethylene based copolymers which may be usedin this invention include, but are not limited to, ethylene acrylicacrylate, ethylene butyl acrylate, ethylene ethyl acrylate and ethylenemethyl acrylate copolymer (EMAC). In one embodiment, the backing film ispreferably about 50% to about 100% ethylene based copolymer. Theethylene based copolymers used in the backing preferably have comonomerlevels of about 8-28% and most preferably about 21%. The levels ofcomonomer in the ethylene based copolymer of the backing film layer 15can be selected to achieve a pliable backing which is comfortable forthe user to wear. Further, the ethylene based copolymers used arepreferably in the range of about 2 to about 10 melt index (MI) resins,however as is appreciated by those skilled in the art other grades ofethylene based copolymer could be used. Examples of ethylene basedcopolymer which can be used for the backing include, but are not limitedto EMACs, such as Chevron SP2205, Exxon Optema® TC-110 and Exxon Optema®TC-120.

Further, the backing film layer 15 can include a low densitypolyethylene homopolymer (LDPE). The addition of LDPE may beadvantageous at least in improving the processing speed by increasingthe melt strength of the calendered film. A wide range of LDPEs can beused in the backing. The LDPEs used in the backing are preferably in therage of about 2 to about 16 MI extrusion and/or coating grade resins.Examples of LDPEs which can be used in the backing film layer 15include, but are not limited to Nova Chemicals LF-0219-AM or ChevronPE1019.

The backing film layer 15 can further include additives, such asantioxidant/stabilizer and/or processing aids. Hindered phenolicantioxidant such as Irganox® 1010 manufactured by Ciba-Geigy is anexample of an appropriate stabilizer for medical applications.Processing aids such as N,N′ Ethylene Bisstearamide may be advantageousat least in benefiting the processing by assisting in the release of thecalendered film from the center roll surface. Use of processing aids isparticularly preferable in backing film formulations where the comonomerlevel exceeds 18%. An example of one such additive is Acrawax® Cmanufactured by Lonza Specialty Chemicals. In an alternate embodimentthe backing film is a composition of about 65% to about 100% by weightEMAC, up to about 35% by weight LDPE, about 0.05 to about 2% by weightantioxidants, processing aids and/or stabilizers.

The backing film layer 15 is also preferably of a thickness 25 toprovide sufficient strength to the dressing 11, but also of a thinnesswhich will be comfortable to the wearer and pliable to contact all skinsurfaces 3. In one embodiment, the backing film layer thickness 25 isabout 0.5 to about 10 thousands of and inch (mils), and in otherembodiments, the thickness of the backing film layer is about 2 to about6 mils. The backing film layer thickness 25 can or can not be constantfrom the backing film upper surface area 21 to the backing film lowersurface area 23.

Adhesive Layer

An adhesive useful in this invention is any substance which holds thehydrocolloid dressing 11 in contact with the skin 13, and also absorbsfluid away from the surface of the skin 13 and into the adhesive layer17 of the hydrocolloid dressing 11. The adhesive layer 17 can be locatedon any part of, or the entirety of, the backing film layer lower surfacearea 23.

A wide range of adhesive materials can be used for the hydrocolloiddressing, and can be selected to maximize adhesion, absorption andcomfort, while minimizing irritation to the user. The adhesive layer 17is preferably efficient at adhering to, but not damaging to the dermisor wound site 13. The adhesive layer 15 further preferably has arelatively greater adherence to the backing film layer 15 than to thedermis or wound site 13. There can be a desired range of adhesivestrength for the adhesive layer 15 in the present invention. Thestrength can vary relative to the selected use of the hydrocolloiddressing 11.

The adhesive layer 15 is preferably comprised of a polymeric adhesivecomposition. In one preferred embodiment, the polymeric adhesivecomposition comprises a pressure sensitive polymer mixture. In someembodiments, rubber based polymer adhesives can be used. Examples ofpolymer adhesives which may be used include, but are not limited toblock copolymers (such as styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymers andstyrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene copolymers), butyl and polyisobutylene(PIBs).

Examples of butyl rubber, include, but are not limited to Butyl 268 &269 (Exxon Mobile Chemical Co., Houston, Tex., USA) may be used at leastto improve the integrity of hydrocolloid dressing. Examples of PIBssuitable for use in the invention include, but are not limited to PIB 6H(Nippon Petrochemicals Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and Vistanex (ExxonMobile Chemical Co., Houston, Tex., USA). In some embodiments, PIBgrades can have average molecular weight in a range of 36000 to 70000.By way of example, Vistanex LM-MH (Flory Molecular Weight 50,400-55,800)may be particularly useful in this invention.

Hydrocolloid. Regardless of the adhesive system used, the adhesive layer17 also includes a hydrocolloid. Hydrophilic particles can be added tothe adhesive composition and are preferably capable of swelling in waterand transporting water. Hydrophilic particles which may be used in theinvention include, but are not limited to naturally derived substances(such as silica, collagen, pectin, gelatin, starches, guar gum, gumarabic, locust bean gum, gum karaya, alginic acid and its sodium orcalcium salts) and synthetic substances (such as such as sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose (CMC), crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose,crystalline sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrollidone, high molecular weight polyethylene glycols andpolypropylene glycols, cross-linked dextran and starch-acrylonitrilegraft copolymer, starch sodium polyacrylate, gluten, polymer of methylvinyl ether and maleic acid and derivatives; polyvinyl pyrrolidone,polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, metal and/or ammonium saltsof polyacrylic acid and/or its copolymers, and metal or ammonium saltsof polystyrene sulfonic acid) or a variety of alternative commerciallyavailable absorbent products.

Additives. Further, the adhesive layer 17 can also contain additives,such as tackifiers, plasticizers and/or stabilizers to achieve thedesired adhesive properties. Examples of plasticizers include, Parapol(Exxon Mobile Chemical Co., Houston, Tex., USA), a polybutene, andEastoflex E1003 or 1060, resins (Eastman Chemical, Kingsport, Tenn.,USA).

In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 17 can include therapeuticagents as additives, including those which can assist with woundprotection and healing, such as alcohol, peroxide or betadine;antimicrobials; antibacterials, such as Triclosan, or polysporin;antivirals, such as Nonoxyl-9; antifungals, such as imidazole;antinflamatories such as hydrocortizone; wound healing promoters, suchas growth factors; collagen; moisturizers, such as aloe or vitamins A, Dor E; anti-scaring medications such as cortisone or pharmacologicallyactive agents, including, but not limited to, analgesics, anesthetics,anti-inflammatories, and steroids. During processing of the adhesivelayer active agents may be combined with either the polymericcomposition, with the hydrocolloid, or both, for example. In anotherexample, the active agent may be adhered to at least a portion of theadhesive lower surface are 29.

In one embodiment, the adhesive layer 17 is comprised of about 15% toabout 40% polymer, about 10% to about 50% hydrocolloid particles, about10 to about 75% of additives. In another embodiment, the adhesivematerial is a composition of about 20-30% polymer, about 25-35%hydrocolloid particles, about 40-50% of additives. A typicalhydrocolloid composition comprises of 100 parts of Vistanex LM-MH, 20parts of Butyl 268, 12 parts of Parapol 1300, and 40 parts of sodiumCMC.

The adhesive layer thickness 19 is preferably thick enough to affordsuitable adhesion to and absorption from the dermis or wound site 13. Inone embodiment, the adhesive layer thickness 19 is about 5 to about 50mils, and in other embodiments, the thickness of the adhesive is about10 to about 30 mils. The adhesive layer thickness 19 can or can not beconstant from the adhesive layer upper surface area 27 to the adhesivelayer lower surface area 29.

Release Liner

Due to the novel calendering process used to manufacture thehydrocolloid dressing 11, manufacturing can be carried out in theabsence of a release liner. However, after the manufacture of thehydrocolloid dressing 11 a release liner 31 can be laminated to theadhesive layer lower surface area 29 to facilitate conversion of thedressing (such as by die cutting) or to protect the adhesive beforeapplication to the user, for example. Examples of suitable linermaterials include, but are not limited to bleached Kraft-Glassine paper,silicone coated on one side at least where contact with the adhesivelayer is made.

The liner 31 can be of the same dimensions as the hydrocolloid dressing11, or can be of different dimensions to facilitate removal of the liner31 from the dressing 11. Where the liner 31 is of different dimensionsas the dressing, the liner can be larger in any one or all planardimensions than the dressing (FIG. 2). Further, the liner 31 can havelines of weakness, such as scores or perforations, so as to facilitateremoval of the liner from the dressing.

Method of Manufacture of the Hydrocolloid Dressing

The method of manufacturing for the dressing can be achieved, but is notlimited to the method or order of operations as described below.

In one method of manufacturing the hydrocolloid dressing 11, amulti-roll calender process is used to form the backing film layer 15and apply the adhesive layer 17 in a single manufacturing step (FIG. 3).The backing film composition 115 is formed by blending the selectedpolymers, antioxidants, processing aids and/or stabilizers in selectedproportions that are metered, mixed and extruded, via a single screwextruder 33, for example. The temperature of the backing filmcomposition 115 when extruded is preferably in the range of about350-400° F., and most preferably about 380° F. The backing filmcomposition 115 is delivered to the multi-rolled calender 35 in acontinuous fashion for forming into the backing film layer 15. Thebacking film layer thickness 25 is determined by the width of the topgap 37 between the calender top roll 39 and center roll 41.

The calender top roll 39 surface temperature is preferably heated to thetemperature of the backing film composition 115, while the center roll41 is cooled relative to the temperature of the extrudate. Further, thetop roll 39 preferably rotates at a slower rate relative to the centerroll 41. The backing film composition 115 preferably sticks to thecooler and faster center roll 41 and is carried to the lower gap 43between the calender center roll 41 and the lower roll 45 to belaminated with adhesive layer 17. The total thickness (at least theadhesive layer thickness 19+the backing layer thickness 25) of thehydrocolloid dressing 11 is determined by the width of the lower gap 43between the calender center roll 41 and lower roll 45.

Next, the adhesive composition 117 is prepared for extrusion on to thecalender. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, adhesives canbe prepared in a number of ways and in a variety of mixing devices. Forexample, batch mixers (such as internal, sigma blade mixers including anAMK Mixtruder®) can be used to mix the rubber-based adhesives prior tothe calendering step. Secondary operations can be used to prepare theadhesive off-line when batch mixing is used. Alternatively, continuousmixers (such as a Farrel Continuous Mixer (FCM)®) or twin screwextruders can be used. Continuous mixing typically allows for theadhesive can be mixed and fed to the calender directly. Preferably, thefinal delivery of the adhesive composition 117 to the calender 35 isaccomplished by extrusion, with a single screw extruder 47 or melt pumpsystem for example. The temperature of the adhesive composition 117 whenextruded is preferably in the range of about 260-320° F., and mostpreferably about 290° F.

The method of manufacturing for the adhesive composition can beachieved, but is not limited to the method or order of operations asdescribed below. For example, adhesive composition ingredients includingPIB and Butyl rubber, may be added in a sigma blade mixer and heated toabout 150° C. under nitrogen blanket. The ingredients are preferablyheated until they are completely melted, and additionally the Parapolthen added. The mixture is preferably mixed until the composition ishomogeneous. The temperature is preferably reduced to about 120° C.Hydrophilic particles may then be blended into the heated adhesivecomposition and mixing continued until the particles are mixed uniformlythroughout. The mixture is then discharged from the mixer and ready forcalendering.

The adhesive composition 117 is calendered onto the backing film layer15 between the center roll 41 and lower roll 45. A wide range ofadhesive thickness 19 can be achieved by this method. The lower roll 45is preferably heated to the temperature of the adhesive composition 117when extruded. Further, the lower roll 45 preferably rotates at a slowerrate relative to the center roll 41.

Once laminated, the hydrocolloid dressing 11 is stripped from thecalender and preferably conveyed through a cooling section 49.

The adhesive lower surface 29 may then laminated with a release liner31, and wound on to a master roll 51 for converting the hydrocolloiddressing material into individual use patches by cutting or pressing thedressings into the desired shapes and packing them for distribution tothe user. A release liner 31 may, but need not be added, at any timeafter the product has been manufactured, for conversion or fordistribution to the user (see FIG. 3).

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionhas been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Itis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by theclaims appended hereto. Further, with respect to the claims, it shouldbe understood that any of the claims described below can be combined forthe purposes of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Backing film composition: % (weight) Adhesive composition: % (weight)EMAC - Exxon 99.8 Vistanex LM-MH 58 Optema TC-110 Antioxidant 0.1 Butyl268 12 Acrawax C 0.1 Parapol 1300 7 Sodium CMC 23

A 15 mil calendered hydrocolloid dressing was produced that consisted ofa 5 mil backing film layer and a 10 mil adhesive layer. The hydrocolloiddressing was laminated with a silicone coated release liner at the pointof windup. The coated product was subsequently die cut for the purposeof field testing.

EXAMPLE 2

Backing film Composition % (weight) Adhesive composition: by partsEMAC - Exxon 85.0 Vistanex LM-MH 58 Optema TC-110 LDPE - Novacor 14.9Butyl 268 12 LF-0219-AM Antioxidant 0.1 Parapol 1300 7 Sodium CMC 23

A 35 mil calendered hydrocolloid dressing was produced that consisted ofa 5 mil backing film layer and a 30 mil adhesive layer. The product waslaminated with a silicone coated release liner at the point of windup.The coated product was subsequently die cut for the purpose of fieldtesting.

While the specification describes particular embodiments of the presentinvention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the presentinvention without departing from the inventive concept.

1. A method of manufacturing a calendered hydrocolloid dressingcomprising the steps of: blending a backing film composition; extrudingthe backing film composition; calendering the backing film compositionbetween a top roll and a center roll to form a backing film layer;blending an adhesive composition; and calendering the adhesivecomposition between the center roll and a lower roll to form ahydrocolloid dressing comprising a backing film layer and an adhesivelayer in a single manufacturing step.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the step of adhering a release liner layer to a lower surfacearea of the hydrocolloid dressing.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid backing film composition is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer.4. The method of claim 3, wherein said thermoplastic elastomer is anethylene based copolymer.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein saidethylene based copolymer is one or a combination of any of an ethyleneacrylic acrylate, ethylene butyl acrylate, ethylene ethyl acrylate orethylene methyl acrylate copolymer.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe backing film layer is comprised of about 100% by weight copolymer,wherein the copolymer is about 21% by weight comonomer.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein material comprising the backing film layer furtherincludes low density polyethylene homopolymer.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein material comprising the backing film layer further includesadditives.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the additives are selectedfrom the group of antioxidants, stabilizers and processing aids.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the backing film layer is comprised of about65% to about 100% by weight ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer, fromabout 0 to about 35% by weight low density polyethylene, about 0.05 toabout 2% by weight of any one of or combinations of any of antioxidants,processing aids or stabilizers.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereinmaterial comprising the adhesive layer includes at least a polymer and ahydrocolloid.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymer is apressure sensitive adhesive.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thepressure sensitive adhesive comprises at least one rubber.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the rubber is any one of or a combination ofany one of styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymers, styrene-ethylene-styrenecopolymers styrene-butylene-styrene copolymers, butyl rubber andpolyisobutylene.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the adhesive layerfurther comprises at least one additive.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the additive is any one or a combination of any of tackifiers,stabilizers, plasticizers, processing aids or therapeutic agents. 17.The method of claim 11, wherein the adhesive layer comprises about 15%to about 40% by weight polymer, about 10% to about 50% by weighthydrocolloid, and about 10 to about 75% of by weight additives.
 18. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the adhesive layer comprises about 58% byweight polyisobutylene, about 12% by weight butyl rubber, about 7% byweight plasticizer and 23% by weight hydrocolloid.
 19. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the adhesive layer, backing film layer, or adhesive andbacking film layer are substantially transparent or clear.
 20. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer, backing film layer, oradhesive and backing film layer are substantially flesh colored.
 21. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is about 5 to about 50mils and wherein the backing film layer is about 0.5 to about 10 mils.22. A calendered hydrocolloid dressing comprising at least a backingfilm layer and an adhesive layer, wherein the material comprising thebacking film layer includes at least a thermoplastic elastomer andwherein said backing film layer and adhesive layer are calenderedtogether simultaneously to provide said calendered hydrocolloid dressingby a single manufacturing step.
 23. A calendered hydrocolloid dressingof claim 22, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is an ethylene basedcopolymer.
 24. A calendered hydrocolloid dressing of claim 22, whereinthe ethylene based copolymer is one or a combination of any of anethylene acrylic acrylate, ethylene butyl acrylate, ethylene ethylacrylate or ethylene methyl acrylate copolymer.
 25. A calenderedhydrocolloid dressing of claim 22, wherein the backing film layer iscomprised of about 100% by weight copolymer, wherein the copolymer isabout 21% by weight comonomer.
 26. A calendered hydrocolloid dressing ofclaim 22, wherein the material comprising the backing film layer furtherincludes low density polyethylene homopolymer.
 27. A calenderedhydrocolloid dressing of claim 22, wherein the material comprising thebacking film layer further includes additives.
 28. A calenderedhydrocolloid dressing of claim 27, wherein the additives are selectedfrom the group of antioxidants, stabilizers and processing aids.
 29. Acalendered hydrocolloid dressing of claim 22, wherein the backing filmis comprised of about 65% to about 100% by weight ethylene methylacrylate copolymer, from about 0 to about 35% by weight low densitypolyethylene, about 0.05 to about 2% by weight of any one of orcombinations of any of antioxidants, processing aids or stabilizers. 30.A calendered hydrocolloid dressing of claim 22, wherein the materialcomprising the adhesive layer includes at least a polymer and ahydrocolloid.
 31. A calendered hydrocolloid dressing of claim 30,wherein the polymer is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
 32. A calenderedhydrocolloid dressing of claim 31, wherein the pressure sensitiveadhesive comprises at least one rubber.
 33. A calendered hydrocolloiddressing of claim 32, wherein the rubber is any one of or a combinationof any one of styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymers,styrene-ethylene-styrene copolymers styrene-butylene-styrene copolymers,butyl rubber and polyisobutylene.
 34. A calendered hydrocolloid dressingof claim 30, further comprising at least one additive.
 35. A calenderedhydrocolloid dressing of claim 34, wherein the additive is any one or acombination of any of tackifiers, stabilizers, plastifiers, processingaids or therapeutic agents.
 36. A calendered hydrocolloid dressing ofclaim 30, wherein the adhesive layer comprises about 15% to about 40% byweight polymer, about 10% to about 50% by weight hydrocolloid, and about10 to about 75% of by weight additives.
 37. A calendered hydrocolloiddressing of claim 30, wherein the adhesive layer comprises about 58% byweight polyisobutylene, about 12% by weight butyl rubber, about 7% byweight plasticizer and 23% by weight hydrocolloid.
 38. A calenderedhydrocolloid dressing of claim 22, further comprising a release lineradhered to an adhesive layer lower surface area.
 39. A calenderedhydrocolloid dressing of claim 22, wherein the adhesive layer, backingfilm layer, or adhesive and backing film layer are substantiallytransparent or clear.
 40. A calendered hydrocolloid dressing of claim22, wherein the adhesive layer, backing film layer, or adhesive andbacking film layer are substantially flesh colored.
 41. A calenderedhydrocolloid dressing of claim 22, wherein the adhesive layer is about 5to about 50 mils and wherein the backing film layer is about 0.5 toabout 10 mils.